One Piece: Heaven-Defying Talent

"I'm fine." Bartolomeo stood up, revealing a layer of barrier protection he had set around himself.

He shouted to Rebecca, "Hurry up and take care of Doflamingo! I can handle this old man."

"Then be careful," Rebecca called back, quickly running toward the palace. Cavendish sneered, "With your strength, Cockscomb, you'd better just leave before you embarrass me."

Bartolomeo picked his nose and scoffed, "I didn't think this old geezer would be so sly, but I won't be tricked again."

"Just you wait, flashy boy," Bartolomeo said, eyeing Lao G closely. He kept his guard up, unwilling to underestimate his opponent.

Cavendish shot back angrily, "Call me that again, and I'll take you down with them!" His face was livid with irritation.

Seeing an opening, Drej charged forward, aiming a punch at Cavendish's head.

However, Cavendish deftly blocked the attack with his sword. Drej quickly shifted, aiming another blow at him.

"Huh, nice reflexes," Cavendish muttered as he lunged forward, unleashing a flurry of strikes with his rapier. Drej twisted and turned, narrowly evading each one.

Drej grumbled, "This guy's sword is too sharp—I can't even get close."

Lao G replied, "If you can't handle it, fall back."

"Fall back? Are you kidding me?" Drej countered, rushing at Cavendish again. He unleashed a series of rapid kicks, which Cavendish met with equally swift parries, his sword blocking each kick.

With each clash, Cavendish gained a slight advantage over Drej, though it was clear this battle would not be resolved quickly.

Meanwhile, Bartolomeo firmly held Lao G at bay with his barrier fruit. Lao G eyed the formidable barrier and scowled. This defense was incredibly tough and frustratingly effective.

In a direct confrontation, he was confident Bartolomeo wouldn't withstand a single blow. Still, these Devil Fruit users could be a nuisance.

Dark Armament Haki flared across Lao G's body. Covered in the powerful Haki, he was ready to break through. Cavendish noticed the change and called out, "Bartolomeo, watch out! There's something off about him!"

Bartolomeo felt the shift and retorted, "He's just an old man; I can handle him."

Bartolomeo intensified his barrier protection, but Lao G's form vanished from sight.

Bartolomeo's eyes widened, and he immediately fortified himself with his barriers. But seconds passed with no impact.

"Not good, brat! He's going for you!" Bartolomeo yelled. Cavendish sensed the threat and braced himself as an immense pressure barreled toward him like a mountain.

With no time to spare, Cavendish raised his sword, cloaking it and his arms in Armament Haki to withstand Lao G's powerful strike.

However, a thick net of white strings suddenly wove itself in front of him, absorbing much of the impact.

Boom!

Lao G's blow struck the net and Cavendish's sword simultaneously. The force felt like a mountain crashing down, throwing Cavendish backward, his arms screaming in pain as if they were about to break.

He was shocked. Without the web of strings absorbing most of the blow, his arms might have been shattered completely.

At that moment, Drej rushed forward, aiming a kick at Cavendish's neck.

In a flash, a gleaming white sword intercepted Drej's leg.

Drej quickly pulled back, noticing a young man in a hat standing nearby, a cross-shaped scar on his forehead, eyes sharp, and a large sword at his side.

"Leave this guy to me," Koby said, his gaze locked on Drej.

"No," Cavendish replied, "I can handle one of Doflamingo's lackeys. You should go help Rebecca. She'll need all the help she can get against Doflamingo."

Cavendish's demeanor changed, his aura intensifying with determination. As a swordsman, his pride wouldn't allow him to rely on Koby, especially with Bartolomeo looking on, ready to tease him for the rest of his life.

"Fine, but be careful," Koby replied, dashing off in Rebecca's direction.

"Vista, go with Koby," Jozu said with a grin, his teeth gleaming. "I'll handle things here."

Across from Jozu, Lao G was now fully covered in Armament Haki, his body gleaming under the sunlight. His aura was dense, his defense impenetrable.

Jozu activated his own Devil Fruit ability, his body transforming into diamond. Smiling, he said, "Let's see who's tougher, old man."

Bartolomeo protested, "Hey, Jozu, this guy was mine!"

Jozu laughed, "Find another opponent—this one's mine."

With that, Jozu strode toward Lao G. Lao G met his gaze, replying, "So, you're the Diamond Jozu?"

Jozu chuckled. "So, you've heard of me? Alright, let's see who's got the stronger defense."

Lao G's stance grew even more focused, his Armament Haki intensifying. With a fierce yell, he launched himself at Jozu.

Jozu's right fist, now fully encased in diamond, glinted under the sunlight. His powers had grown, his defense stronger than ever. The two closed in and clashed with thunderous force.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.